Worried about carbs

Hi there Carb experts
I have had my bike on the road for a year now and it always sounds great. Starts right away even in the middle of canadian winters. My concern is that I haven't cleaned the carbs yet since I've gotten the bike due to fear of it not running as well are not starting at all after I'm done reassembling them. What if all the gunk is holding it together lol j/k.

I have searched countless carb subjects on here and hasn't really reassured my fears due to how complicated it sounds and all the problems I see. Due to old airbox joints(boots) I have to remove the carbs now to replace the joints so in short what should I do? Leave the carbs alone and wait for a carb clinic this summer, try to fix them using this site and my knowledgable friends or take it to a bike shop? Keep in mind no issues at all with idle or startup/running. I get about 300km/tank
1982 xj750r seca all stock parts as fuel system/exhaust goes.

 

I'm no expert, but i am learning which if you do it right should be a never ending process. i have a 750 maxim and from what i have learned the carbs are the same. if you are taking them off anyway you should at least pop the float bowls off to see what they look like inside. Do not seperate the carb bank. If they are gunky inside clean them one at a time if you feel comfortable doing it. I got some advice as a kid that led to me becoming a mechanic "tear into it if you cant put it back together someone else can". That being said don't do it if you're not comfortable doing it. Carbs are fairly simple to clean just make sure you put it back together the way it came apart and be gentle. good luck

 

if it runs good. Don't mess with it, i always say. just slap a fuel filter on the fuel line and you should be ok, if the throttle response is crap, then either A. your carbs are out of sync, or B the jets or passages are clogged which require carb disassembly and cleaning.

 

if you don't have the confidence of doing this and fear that you might mess something up. Send it to an expert in your area that knows all about rebuilding it.

 

How many miles on the bike?

Does it already have an inline fuel filter? If not, you need one anyway.

What do the plugs look like?

Why are you removing the carbs again? Airbox-to-carb boots won't require pulling the rack; and intake manifolds (carb-to-engine) are NOT a task for the inexperienced.

Carb cleaning is part of the 5000-mile maintenance regimen, like adjusting the valves. Once the valves have been adjusted, a vacuum sync is called for anyway; it's all part of the service "cycle."

Get a manual, and go through the "maintenance" section.

Oh, and have you pulled the rear brake and inspected the shoes for signs of delamination? If not, THAT is "Job 1."

 

If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

As long as it idles well, starts, and snaps your head back when you twist this little grippy thing>>> ENJOY and don't mess with it.

If you want to mess with them, but a spare rack off Ebay and clean them up and have a spare on the shelf.

 

alright sorry for the delay but here's the info Bigfitz
there's about 90000 miles on her and the PO did an amazing job with her.

The first thing I did was check the back brake because it did sit for awhile but it was in very good condition. As far as inline fuel filter I am unsure but I doubt there is one, if there was where would it be?

As the air boots are concerned I just noticed that the intake manifolds looking a bit rough as well so I might as well do it all at once.

I am either going to wait for a carb clinic if it starts soon enough or dive into it myself with the book and this site cause I'm not sitting the season out for sure and like stunnuts said someone can fix it later if I can't.

 

use shell fuel suposed to be cleaner and clean out gunk. I have been using reg 87, whats everyone else using reg or premium?

 

Kilo; that's a pretty rude thread-jack. Start a new one, please; fuel octane is a whole other discussion.

Back to the question at hand: With 90K (90k!!!) on it, the carbs had to have had some attention along the way.

How do the plugs look?

An in-line fuel filter would be located in the fuel line between the petcock and the rack. You should be able to spot it easily enough. If you don't have one, add one.

Honestly, if the bike starts, runs, idles fine and gets decent fuel economy and the plugs look fine--- why are you worried? Install an inline fuel filter and worry about the carbs the next time you adjust the valves (every 5000 miles.)

 

well for starters thats 90000 miles not kms and I put about 8000 miles on it last year alone so I figure they're due along with the valves lol. Fuel filter is on the list and will be done shortly no rush since we just got 12 inches of the white stuff dumped on us. Plugs look good my buddy is a mechanic and he looked at them we had to check em out last fall due to starting issue which ended up electrical. Thanks Bigfitz

 

My understanding of carbs is that they don't really require cleaning if they are clean to start with and never sit. Gasoline is very volatile and CLEANS the inside of the carbs everytime fresh fuel flows through all those little pasages. It's when the gasoline sits, breaks down, and gets all gooey that trouble starts. When tiny passages are plugged, fresh gas won't flow through them and keep them clean.

I suppose seals could still rot. Definitely get that inline fuel filter and check the valves. Valves DO wear with use, and tight clearances will lead to engine rebuilds. KEEP that thing on the ROAD 8)

 

To the OP - I triend sending you an email to your seca82@bell account. It doesn't work.- Rick

 

I am going to assume OP means original poster and if so that is nowhere near my email address please clarify???

 

I've sent you a pm - Rick